Residents of Ranchi will have to wait for another six months at least to visit the new Birsa Munda Smriti Park and Birsa Munda museum that are coming up at the old Birsa jail premises in the heart of the city, officials in the state urban development department said on Saturday.
Chief minister Hemant Soren, along with state urban development department secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey and a battery of officials, inspected the construction site to take stock of the ambitious project worth around Rs 106.9 crore.
This was Hemant’s first extensive visit to the premises after assuming charge in December 2019. He spent around two hours from noon, with officials taking him through every aspect of the project.
During his visit, Hemant raised objections over the use of poor quality tiles in some places and directed authorities to ensure that highest standards of quality were maintained, as per a brief statement from IPRD. “The department shouldn’t take the handover of the project unless it is fully satisfied with the quality of work. The government won’t compromise with the quality as it is about freedom fighters and their dignity,” he said.
Urban development department secretary Choubey said they were keeping track of the project. “Multiple agencies have been engaged for various project components. We are asking them to finish the work at the earliest. If all goes well, it will take another six months for the entire project to be completed,” he said.
Spread over 28 acres, the 180-year-old jail is where Jharkhand’s legendary freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda had died after being held captive by the British. The cell, where he breathed his last, is being converted into a museum. Also, statues of 11 freedom fighters of the state are being put up across the jail premises.
The foundation stone of the project was laid by former chief minister Raghubar Das in 2017. The project was to be ready 2019 but has been delayed. It is being funded by the Union ministry of tribal affairs and is being executed by the Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company (Juidco), an arm of the state urban development department.
Besides museum, the project components include renovation of the cell where Birsa lived, installation of infrastructure for light-and-sound and laser shows on Birsa’s life and other freedom fighters, a cafeteria, fountains, manicured park and a watch tower. To provide the visitors a glimpse of various tribes and their lifestyle, there is a plan to set up several "tribal bhawans".
“More than 70 per cent of the work is over. These include a park, parking area, setting up of the museum, renovation etc. Work on the watch tower, statues, amusement options are under progress,” said an official.